Typographical distributing machine



Aug. 12, 1941.

J. H. HILPMAN 2,252,507 TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING momma Filed Dec. '15.939

2 SheetsSheet 1 .O O 2 O 15 Fig.1. 39 40 11 4432 10 44 1 0 I 25 i-' O Oo '[NVENTOR 4% 4 J. H. HILPMAN 2,252,507 TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTINGMACHINE Aug. 12, 1941.

Filed Dec. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVENTbR BY 4% 7 mvryw A TTZRNEY';

Patented Aug. ,1 2, 1941 TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE John H.Hilpman, Springfield Gardens, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler LinotypeCompany, a corporation of New York Application December 15, 1939,SerialN 0. 309,340

16 Claims.

This invention relates to typographical distributing machines of thegeneral organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States,No. 463,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices arereleased from a channeled magazine in the order in which theircharacters are to appear in print and then assembled incline, thecomposed line transferred to the face of a slotted mold, the mold filledwith molten metal to form a type bar or slug against the matrices whichproduce, the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafterelevated and returned through the medium of a distributor bar to thechannels in the magazine from whence they started.

More particularly, it relates to machines of the class equipped with aplurality of magazines containing different matrix fonts. chines, themagazines are stored one above another in a so-called fshift frame whichis adjustable upwardly and downwardly to bring one or another of'themagazines into operative position with respect to fixed assembling anddistributing mechanisms. As a selected magazine is thus brought intooperative position, the shift frame is locked by means of a pair ofsocalled slide bars operable by means of a hand lever locatedconveniently at the front of the machine. To prevent the slide bars frombeing moved to unlocking position until after all the matrices releasedfrom the magazine in use have been returned thereto, one of the bars isusually connected to a detector blade or feeler which extends along theentire length of the distributor bar. When distribution of the matricesis complete and the slide bars are moved to unlocking position prior toa magazine shifting operation, the detector blade is caused to moveacross the path traveled by the matrices as they are advanced along thedistributorbar. In the event, however, that an attempt is made to movethe slide; bars to unlocking position before distribution of thematrices is complete, the detector blade strikes against those matricesstill traveling along the distributor bar and so arrests the movement ofthe slide bars before they reach their fully withdrawn or unlockingposition. While this, oldarrangement serves the purpose intended, it isopen to the objection that the matrices are frequently damaged,particularly the delicately constructed tooth combinations by means ofwhich they are suspended from the distributor bar, and since matrices sodamaged would clog or jam the distributing mechanism, If used" again,they must; be immediately r'eplaced In these mawith a consequent loss tothe owner of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the

above noted as well as other difiiculties are avoided by interposing inthe train of connections leading from the detector blade to itsactuating slide bar a resilient connection which is adapted to yield inthe event the movement of the detector blade is resisted by matrices onthe distributor bar and to render active a stop mechanism which preventsthe movement of the slide bars under such conditions to their fullywithdrawn or unlocking position.

For a detailed description of the invention, reference may be made tothe accompanying drawings wherein the invention has been shown merely inpreferred form and by way of example. Obviously, however, many changesand variations may be made therein and in its mode of application whichwill still be comprised within its spirit, and it is to be understood,therefore, that the invention is not to be limited to any specific formor embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in theappended claims.

Referring to the drawings: I Fig. l is a side elevation of a portion oftypographical distributing machine showing the present improvementsapplied thereto;

Fig. 2, is an enlarged side elevation, showing in normal position theresilient connection between the slide bar and the rocking lever for thedetector blade;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing the slide bar lockedagainst movement;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3 but showing the relativeposition of the parts when the slide bar is permitted to move tounlocking position without interference;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view looking in the direction indicated by line55 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-B of Fig, 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, the several magazines H) are mounted on base framesH conjointly constituting a shift frame I2 which is movable upwardly anddownwardly by means of a hand crank [3 to carry one or another of themagazines 10 into operative position with relation to a fixed assemblerthroat I4 and a fixed magazine entrance l5, the latter being associatedwith the distributing mechanism of the machine and adapted to directmatrices released from the channels.

The slide bars I! are operated by means of a" separate hand leverthrough the medium of a fore-and-aft rock shaft 2%, a verticallydisposed link 2?, and a horizontal arm 28, a transverse rock shaft 29,and vertical arms 28 the latter being arranged in sliding engagementwith pins which project inwardly from the slide bars ll at the forwardends thereof. The arrangement is such that, when the hand lever 25 isdepressed by the operator, the slide bars ll are moved forwardly tounlocking position, with the banking surfaces 20 clear of the projectinglugs 22 on the base frames H. When the hand lever 25 is released, a pullspring 3! acts to restore the slide bars E1 to their normal lockingposition.

During a magazine changing operation, the shift frame i2 is raisedslightly to break the engagement between the banking surfaces 20 on thegage blocks 18 and the lugs 22 on the frame of the magazine in use, theslide bars I! move forwardly to unlocking position, the shift frame [2adjusted to bring the lugs 22 on the base frame of the newly selectedmagazine slightly above the level of the banking surfaces 2%] on thegage blocks I8, the slide bars ll returned to their locking position,and the shift frame l2 lowered the slight distance necessary to rest thelugs 22 of the base frame of the newly selected magazine on the bankingsurfaces 26 of the gage blocks I 8.

As usual in such machines, one of the slide bars if (that one shown inthe drawings) is operatively connected to a detector blade suspended bypivoted side arms 36 from the cross beam 31 of the distributor bracket38. The blade 35 extends along the entire length of the distributor barit slightly below the level thereof, and it is actuated by the slide barll through the medium of a vertically disposed rocking lever 39,pivotally secured by a stud 40 to the distributor bracket 38. Undernormal conditions, that is to' say, when the slide bars [7 are in theirlocking position, a pull spring 4| maintains the detector blade 35 andthe rocking lever 39 in their inactive positions, as determined by theengagement of an adjusting screw 42 against a stop member 43, and underthese conditions the lower end of the lever 3t banks against a stud 44which projects outwardly from the rear end of the slide bar ll. When theslide bars H are pulled forwardly, the stud 44 engages the lower end ofthe lever 39 and the detector blade 35 is forced rearwardly against theaction of the spring 4|. In the event that the bars ll are pulledforwardly after distribution of the matrices is complete, the blade 35moves across the path traveled by the matrices as they are advancedalong the distributor bar It and so permits the forward movement of theslide bars ll to be continued until they reach their inoperative orunlocking position, but if distribution of the matrices is not completeat the time, the blade 35 strikes against any matrices still travelingalong the distributor bar [6 and so arrests the forward movement of thebars ll before they reach their inoperative or unlocking position.

The foregoing parts and their mode of operation are or may be the sameas shown and described in the Kennedy U. S. Patent No. 1,528,434, towhich reference may be had, if desired, for further details.

As before stated, the above described arrangement has, on numerousoccasions, caused such damage to the matrices as to require theirimmediate replacement. To avoid this difficulty, which is the object ofthe present invention, the rocking lever 39, as best shown in Figs. 2 to6 inclusive, is provided at its lower end with a pair of angular plates50, 5| disposed on the opposite side faces thereof. The outside plate 53is fixedly secured to the lever 39 and presents a flat bottom surface 54which extends at an angle to the direction (indicated by the long arrowin Fig. 2) in which the slide bars ll move into and out of operative orlooking position. At the rear, the plate 53 is also formed with a beveledge 53, for a purpose presently to appear. The inside plate 5!, at itslower end, is pivoted by a stud 55 to the lever 39, and presents a flatbottom surface 51 and a recessed portion 58, the latter projectingforwardly so as to overlie the rear portion of the bottom wall of thefixed plate 58. A compression spring 63, interposed between thepivotedplate 5i and the lever 39, serves normally to maintain therecessed portion 58 in contact with the bottom wall of the fixedplatetill, and under these conditions the bottom surface 5'! provided bythe pivoted plate BI is spaced rearwardly from but flush with the bottomsurface provided by the fixed plate 5i The stud 44, which projectsoutwardly from the rear end of the slidebar I7, is formed with a fiattop surface 62 for sliding contact with the flat-bottom surfaces 51 and54 of the two plates 51 and 5t], respectively. The. stud 44 is alsoformed with a flat front face disposed at an acute angle to thetopsurface 62 so as to :provide a front beveled edge 6| to cooperatewith the rear beveled edge 53 of the plate-5U.

Under normal conditions, with the distributor clear of matrices,when'the slide bars ll are pulled forwardly, the top surface 62 of thestud 44 ridesalong the bottom surfaces 5'! and 54 of the two plates 50and 5!, and since these fiat surfaces are disposed at an angle to thedirection in which the slide bars I! travel, they operate with a cameifect upon the lever 39, causing it torotate about its pivotal axis andpress the detector blade 35 rearwardly in the usual manneragainst theaction of its pull spring 4| (see Fig. 4);. However, in the event thatthe rearward movement of the detector blade 35 is are rested, as forexample by its engagement with matrices traveling along the distributorbar Hi, the compression spring fill yields and so allows the pivotedplate 5| to move upwardly about its pivotal axis. Under suchinterference conditions, the beveled edge 53 on the fixed plate 50remains in the path of the beveled edge 6! on the lug 44, and theengagement of these beveled edges locks the slide bars ll againstfurther forward movement to unlocking position (see Fig. 3). Here itmaybe noted that such locking of the slide bars [1 takes place beforethe spring 60 is compressed to the point where it would urge thedetector blade 35 against the matrices on the distributor bar I6 withundue pressure.

It-will thus be seen that the invention provides not only a resilientconnection between the slide bars Hand the rocking, lever 39 for thedetector blade 35 which will avoid damage to the matrices whenever theslide bars are operated while matricesare undergoing distribution, but,in addition, a positive lock which will be brought automaticallydntoaction by the yielding of the parts to prevent the slide bars from beingmoved far enough to releasethe magazine shift frame for operation;

While the invention has been shown only as applied to a detector bladeto cooperate with matrices in course of distribution (this being themost vulnerable condition), nevertheless in principle the invention isequally applicable to a detectorblade in some other location, asforexample one mounted to move across the mouth of the magazine in use todetect the presence of any matrices protruding therefrom.

Having thus described -my*invention, what I claim is:

1. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a longitudinally slidable locking devicefor the shift frame, a detector blade operable bysaid device and adaptedto be brought into engagement with matrices undergoing distribution, andmeans responsive to such engagement of the blade and matrices forpreventing the longitudinal sliding movement of the looking device toinoperative position.

2. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a locking device for the shift frame, adetector blade operable by said device and adapted to be brought intoengagement with matrices undergoing distribution, and means forpreventing the movement of the locking device to inopable locking deviceand detector blade which yields when the movement of said blade isarrested by contact with the matrices.

4. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a longitudinally slidable locking devicefor the shift frame, a detector blade operable by said device andmovable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, and aconnection between the locking device and detector blade adapted toyield in the event that the movement of said blade .is arrested bycontact with the matrices and to render active a stop which prevents thelongitudinal sliding movement of the locking device to inoperativeposition.

5. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a locking device for the shift frame, adetector blade operable by said device and movable across the path ofmatrices undergoing distribution, and means for locking both the lockingdevice and the detector blade against further movement when the movementof the blade is arrested by contact with the matrices.

6. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a locking device for the shift frame, adetector blade operable by said device and movable across the path ofmatrices-undergoing distribution, and means interposed between thelockingdevice'anddetector blade adapted to lock both said parts againstfurther movement when the movement of the blade is arrested by contactwith the matrices.

7. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combin'ation of a locking device for the shift frame, adetector blade operable-by said device and movable across the path ofmatrices undergoing distribution, resilient means interposedbetween thelocking device and detector blade, and means operative by the relativeyielding of said locking device anddete'c'tor blade to lock both saidparts against further movement when the movement of the blade isarrested by contact with the matrices.

8. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, means for locking the shift frame against movement duringdistribution of the matrices, said means comprising a detector blademovable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, a lever foroperating said blade, a slide bar for controlling the operation of saidlever, a resilient connection between said bar and said lever adapted toyield when the movement of said blade is arrested, and cooperative meansrendered active as said connection yields to lock said bar againstoperation. a

9. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, means for locking the shift frame against movement duringdistribution of the matrices, said means comprising a detector blademovable across the path of matrices undergoing distribution, a lever foroperating the blade, a slide bar for controlling the operation of thelever, cooperating stop surfaces, one presented by the bar and the otherby the lever, and means rendered active when the movement of the bladeis resisted to bring said stop surfaces into engagement to lock said baragainst operation.

10. A locking means as set forth in claim 9, including a yieldable platemounted on the lever and adapted to engage a stud projecting from theslide bar. a

11. In a typographical machine equipped with a magazine shift frame, thecombination of a locking device for the shift frame, a matrix detectorblade operable by said device, and a yielding connection between saidelements to limit the pressure exerted by the detector blade on thematrices contacted thereby.

12. In a typographical machine equipped with a magazine shift frame, thecombination ofa locking device for the shift frame, a matrix detectorblade operable by said device, a yielding connection between saidelements to limit the pressure exerted by the detector blade on thematrices contacted thereby, and means rendered active by the relativeyielding of the locking device and detector blade to prevent theunlocking of the magazine shift frame.

13. In a typographical machine equipped with a magazine shift frame, thecombination of a locking device for the shift frame, a matrix detectorblade operable by said device, a yielding connection between saidelements tolimit the pressure exerted by the detector blade on thematrices contacted thereby, and means rendered active by the relativeyielding of the locking device and detector blade to prevent themovement of the locking device to unlocking position.

14. In a typographical machine equipped with a magazine shift frame anda matrix detector blade to control the movements of said frame, thecombination of a slidable locking bar for the shift frame, apivotedlever for operating the matrix detector, a stud fixed to thelocking bar and presenting a flat surface disposed at an angle to thedirection in which the bar slides, and a pair of plates mounted on thepivoted lever and presenting fiat surfaces, normally flush with eachother, for contact with the flat surface of said stud and similarlydisposed, one of said plates being yieldable on the lever when themovement thereof is arrested by the matrix detector blade so as thus tolimit the pressure exerted by the detector blade on the matricescontacted thereby.

15. In a typographical machine equipped with a magazine shift frame anda matrix detector blade to control the movements of said frame, thecombination of a slidable locking bar for the shift frame, a pivotedlever for operating the matrix detector, a stud fixed to the locking barand presenting a fiat surface disposed at an angle to the direction inwhich the bar slides, and a pair of plates mounted on the pivoted leverand presenting flat surfaces, normally flush with each other, forcontact with the flat surface of said stud and similarly disposed, oneof said plates being yieldable on the lever when the movement thereof isarrested by the matrix detector blade so as thus to limit the pressureexerted by the detector blade on the matrices contacted thereby, and theother of said plates being fixed on the lever and serving upon theyielding of the firstmentioned plate as a positive stop to engage thestud on the locking bar and prevent the movement of said bar tounlocking position.

16. In a typographical distributing machine equipped with a magazineshift frame, the combination of a longitudinally slidable locking devicefor the shift frame, a detector blade movable across the path ofmatrices undergoing distribution and adapted to yield with reference tothe locking device when such movement is arrested by contact with thematrices, and means operative by such yielding of the detector blade toprevent the longitudinal sliding movement of the locking device toinoperative position.

JOHN H. HILPMAN.

